An overtly perfect day arose and my children and I longed for a deep drink of the outdoors. The sun beckoned, the temps were on point, there was a calm in the air that said this was a better school for the day. So we traveled to our hiking destination, one of the few places in Florida that isn’t just walking flatlands, and we eagerly stepped onto the trail that seemed to lead us to heaven. The trail was dirt and leaves underneath, trees and green plants on either side with views of the lake on the right, and hills and turns before. Perfect. The more we walked, the fresher the air, the greater and newer the views, the more the ruddy blend of earthy tropics mixed with the unique system of lakes around us on three sides. Smells of earth and various plants and trees embraced our senses. Sounds of birds and fish pervaded the air mixed with our healthy breath sounds as we traverse the uneven terrain. Each rise brought a new aspect, a beautiful perspective on the magnificence of tree dwelling habitats. Just ahead a rise that rivaled many of the rolling hills I grew up with in Michigan, giving new energy to the legs that climbed us forward. The experience came with a refreshing sweat that trickled down around our faces but a radiant glow that only God’s great nature provides. When your senses have been touched by God’s creation, you feel greater life and connection with Him, with everyone else. It is a beautiful hike. A great teacher of what living should consist of.
Category: hiking
Hiking Magic
There is nothing in the world that brings you back to right thinking than a wonderful hike away from society. It brings God back into His rightful place as Maker of all of this. It clears your mind of nonsense and distraction. It exercises your body while refreshing your mind. It is real in a world of uncertainty. It make the important evident a d the unimportant all but disappear. Hiking is like magic! And it is completely tech free! (Except the phone I was using as my camera, of course.) And if you hike long enough, like we did today, you will be suddenly struck that the priorities of life at home may be paying the bills, food, getting along well with others, love, but in reality and in nature, never take drinking water for granted. That is really really important! 🙂 Also to note, being in a beautiful area of hiking, you walk around feeling so special, that God made all this knowing that you would be walking through it enjoying it at that precise time. So cool! And breathing is better, even after climbs up and down and lots of exertion with an adorable little 5 year old to help. You don’t breathe in fumes and air conditioning, you breathe actual fresh air. And so far, that is the only way to get it. Fresh air as yet has not been bottled and sold at the store, although I am certain I just gave someone an entrepreneurial idea. You are welcome. So, commercial over, go get a hike in with someone you love or just yourself you love and enjoy life just a little more! 🙂
Tonya LaLonde 